There is a big announcement from an Albany County Assistant District Attorney.

Attorney Michael McDermott is leaving the D.A.'s Office to enter private practice. He will be joining the Albany-based law firm of O'Connell and Aronowitz next year. It is one of the Capital Region's oldest and largest law firms.

Most recently, McDermott made headlines after winning the sensational murder trial of Christopher Porco.

Press Release
November 13, 2006

Michael P. McDermott, the Chief Felony Prosecutor for the Albany County District Attorney's Office, and the lead trial attorney in the Porco murder trial, will be joining the Albany-based law firm of O'Connell and Aronowitz, effective January 1, 2007. Mr. McDermott will be returning to private practice to continue his career as a civil trial and criminal defense attorney. Before joining the District Attorney's office in 2002, Mr. McDermott had seven years' experience as a trial attorney handling major personal injury cases.

O'Connell and Aronowitz is one of the region's oldest and largest law firms. The firm was established in 1925 and has 30 attorneys. Mr. McDermott will be working with Stephen Coffey, a prominent criminal defense attorney and civil trial attorney. Mr. Coffey is one of the senior partners at O'Connell and Aronowitz and formerly was an assistant district attorney in Albany County in the 1970's. Mr. McDermott will also be working with Peter Danziger on major personal injury cases concentrating in the representation of injured children.

Mr. McDermott commented that: "I am looking forward to returning to the private practice of law. I want to help individuals who have been seriously injured obtain a fair and speedy resolution of their claims. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to work with other experienced trial attorneys at a well-respected law firm.

"When someone is seriously injured or accused of a crime, their life is in chaos until the matter is successfully resolved. I understand that people need a lawyer who can fight for a just and speedy result. I intend to be that kind of attorney."

"We are tremendously excited in having an attorney of Mike's stature and experience join us in our expanding and extensive civil and criminal trial practice" said Stephen R. Coffey, senior partner at O'Connell and Aronowitz Law Firm.